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Post by lugg on May 8, 2013 7:23:20 GMT
Thanks Nycboy You could be correct in that it is most probably a type of ray Bixa,but it could possibly be a skate. Many rays and skate have that face like underside. As its lower half appears to have been cut off it is really difficult to identify exactly.
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Post by bixaorellana on May 8, 2013 16:42:47 GMT
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Post by nycboy on May 8, 2013 17:35:43 GMT
The bait used was a shark if I recall correctly, which I have mixed feelings about. The gentlemen were part of one of the local angling clubs which I believe all have a catch and release policy for the sharks that require protection. They were very conscientious of the ecosystem, spending time to soak and bury the embers from the fire so that the jackals that frequent the beach wouldn't burn their feet when looking for scraps.
I'll say that, in researching for our kayaking trip to the Everglades, I see a lot of hate towards people who are ignorant of fish-handling etiquette and much of it seems like an excuse to criticize rather than an attempt to be constructive.
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Post by lugg on May 8, 2013 18:22:17 GMT
I am certain that the bait used was not a shark , However as rays, skate and sharks are all the same family it may be that its local name was a " something" shark. I have noticed this quite a lot and only recently saw a large guitar ray that was referred to by a local as a guitar "shark"
In essence the main differences between the skate and ray are that all skates reproduce through laying eggs (mermaids purses) and some rays have live young eg the stingray, skates have much more obvious dorsal fins ( hence some of the difficulty in identifying it as the hand is covering that part of the bait in your photo) and generally skate are generally smaller and more rounded at " nose" end, although that can mislead according to species and age. Sorry, end of my fish geekiness, now back to this wonderful report. Looking forward to reading more Nyc girl and boy.
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Post by nycboy on May 8, 2013 18:37:51 GMT
That may very well be the case. At any rate, years of marriage have taught me not to argue with geekiness.
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Post by lugg on May 8, 2013 18:42:48 GMT
;D Nyc(wise)boy
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Post by nycgirl on May 10, 2013 1:47:14 GMT
Thanks for the comments, everyone. Tod, if you ever felt like digging up your Namibia photos, I wouldn't mind taking a look. ;D You certainly did something different by going fishing from the beach! Most tourists, like us, went on the seal boat trip. Seal photos are forthcoming.
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Post by anshjain97 on May 10, 2013 6:49:26 GMT
I had no idea what Namibia was like. This was a great introduction!
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Post by nycgirl on May 10, 2013 7:14:36 GMT
The next morning we got up very early to meet up with our kayak tour group. Today we were going to paddle the waters of the Walvis Bay lagoon, home to thousands of birds and Cape fur seals. Our guide was very pleasant and knowledgeable and told us a lot about the area. On the way there, we got stuck in the deceptively hard-looking sand, but with some teamwork the group pushed the truck out and we were soon on our way. (I unhelpfully chose to document the scene while the others did the work). Soon we reached the seal colony and a cacophony of barking and bleating filled the air. This time of the year the seal pups are practice their swimming and, luckily for us, are completely unwary of humans. As soon as we entered the water, the inquisitive creatures began frolicking right next to us. It was absolutely delightful. Quite a few followed my husband around like he was the pied piper. The seals were so quick-moving that they were really hard to capture on camera. A little head would pop up right next to me, and with a splash, disappear again. Besides, I was nervous about kayaking and photographing at the same time, so I just took a few pictures and put the camera away. Fortunately, our guide took it upon herself to take photos for everyone and email the copies. This was a kind gesture that I greatly appreciated. The following photos were taken by her. Look at that adorable little guy wrapped up in his mommy’s tail. The pups can get quite frisky, grabbing and tugging the oars just for fun. Check out the cute little ear flaps. This trait sets the fur seal apart from true seals. All too soon, it was time to go. We paddled back to the beach, where we had a nice lunch of sandwiches and coffee. Driving back, we got a last glimpse at the troupes of pink flamingos. (Wish I could take credit for this shot).
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Post by tod2 on May 10, 2013 11:02:46 GMT
More fab shots! I think your mum-in-law VERY brave to kayak, she has my admiration for sure I tried to find my Namibia trip on Fodors but it looks like the Kodak Gallery has moved the photos to another place. I will try to recover them. They are quite different so won't steal your thunder ;D I won't put them up until you are all done.....that's if I find them.
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2013 12:10:54 GMT
Wow, amazing photos. Thanks for opening up my eyes to a whole new world. I never knew this was what Nambia was like. I just love the sand, the dunes are huge! And all the wild life is just magnificent.
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Post by bixaorellana on May 10, 2013 15:43:42 GMT
What an experience! You all must have had so much fun. NYCBoy mentioned above about researching a kayak trip to the Everglades. Were the two of you kayakers already, or was the seal excursion your first time in tippy little boats in scary waters full of wild animals? The guide you had must have really enhanced the experience with her knowledge and thoughtfulness. Every time I open this thread I'm thinking, "What will they come up with next?!"
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2013 17:50:49 GMT
Amazing photos, but I was wondering what we would think of seals if they were not friendly inquisitive animals but acted like jackals or hyenas instead. We would probably applaud those nasty Canadians and Norwegians for clubbing their pups to death. Oh well, just an idle and unfortunate thought... and seals are very nice with our species, so more power to them!
Anybody would love to take credit for the picture of the flamingos which for some inexplicable reason is made even more fabulous by the ship in the background. (Nature ignoring industry?)
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Post by spindrift1 on May 10, 2013 22:19:33 GMT
Thank you so much for this wonderful thread. It has always been my dream to visit Namiba. You mentioned that you drove 5000kms was it? or miles? that's such a long way. I shall read every word very carefully, take it all in and then ask questions....
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Post by nycgirl on May 11, 2013 5:42:58 GMT
Bixa, I have been kayaking a few times before. I'm not very good at it, but the lagoon waters were pretty calm. And having kayaked once in the Hudson River, I think I prefer the wild animals. Spindrift, we drove about 5,000 miles (8.000 km). My poor husband was behind the wheel for every one of them. My license expired ages ago, but even if it hadn't, I could never have handled a stick-shift and opposite traffic. Oh well, I got to be the primary photographer.
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Post by nycgirl on May 11, 2013 5:43:18 GMT
Kerouac, I only recently learned that seals in Namibia are regularly "culled" (if I may use an inadequate euphemism). It's stomach-churning that that type of cruelty goes on, and on such a grand scale. I don't blame the low-paid seasonal workers who carry out the killings, but the higher-ups who reap the benefits, the clients who buy seal pelts and genitals for their stupid aphrodisiacs, and the government for sanctioning it. It's sickening.
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Post by lugg on May 11, 2013 6:21:15 GMT
I did wonder if that is what some of the trawlers in your pics were there for but I dont know what time of year the cull in Namibia happens?
All the photos are great but a love the close upof the fur seal, I did not know that about the ear flaps. the last of the flamingos is also special.
I can see why you both had such a great time and long to go back.
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Post by nycgirl on May 13, 2013 8:01:01 GMT
On the way to Spitzkoppe, we stopped at a mineral market in a village called Uis. Namibia is very rich in minerals and the market had an incredible variety on display. The children there were more than happy to pose for photos while their mothers handled the sales. I handed out some apples I had with me and the kids were as pleased as if I had given them candy. Here are my purchases. I tried to remember all of the names, but I forgot before I could write them down. I do remember that this is a specimen of black tourmaline and an amethyst with water trapped inside. A note on Uis: for decades it had a productive tin mining operation until tin prices plummeted so low that the mine was forced to close. Now the residents of Uis manage to eke out a living almost solely on the traffic that passes through there. So if you’re a rockhound and happen to be in the area, I recommend supporting the mineral market. The merchandise is lovely and the women are very pleasant and don't try the "hard sell." We pressed on to Spitzkoppe (German for “pointed head”), a group of bald granite peaks rising dramatically from the surrounding flat plains. The rocks are more than 700 million years old and the highest outcrop, Groot Spitzkoppe, stands 2300 feet (700 meters) above the desert floor. Inside the park, we saw hornbills for the first time. This one is a Monteiro’s Hornbill. We also got our first clear look at a steenbok. It’s a dainty little thing, standing 45-60 cm at the shoulder. It has huge ears compared to its tiny head. We found our campsite and pitched our tents. It was a nice spot nestled cozily among the boulders and it had a surprisingly clean toilet on site. We went back out for a drive and were treated to a spectacular sunset. The scenery surrounding us was so captivating, I didn’t know which way to look. In one direction was the sun-kissed African veld with mountains looming in the distance. In the opposite direction, a soft glow fell on the huge outcrops and a rainbow peeked out of rose-colored storm clouds. The sky quickly darkened as a rainstorm approached. We drove to a good vantage point and watched as the sky turned to deeper hues of purple and bolts of lightning forked across the sky. It was such an incredible sight and we soaked up the scenery until the rain finally forced us to run for cover in the car. The rain passed fleetingly, and we went back to the campsite and winded down by enjoying some wine alfresco before going to bed. As I drifted off, I mused how incredible it was to be sleeping in this magnificent rocky landscape after kayaking in a lagoon full of seals that very morning.
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Post by spindrift1 on May 13, 2013 10:50:27 GMT
The mineral market photos are lovely. They are selling a huge variety. I see you bought some nice turquoises which are amongst my favourite. I have never seen tourmaline in the rough before.
I really enjoyed the sunset pictures; the colours are so special in desert surroundings. Did you sleep in a tent without fear of lions or hyaenas bothering you? Was the camping site fenced?
5,000miles is such a long way. What time of the year did you go? Was it very hot?
Did you go near the Orange river?
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Post by tod2 on May 13, 2013 12:36:07 GMT
Fab once again! You hit the jackpot with your gem stones! The first one ( orangy colour) I think is Citrine. The turquoise stone on the necklace could be Aquamarine or I think it's unlikely to be Lapis Lazuli??
I loved that part of Namibia because of all the rock formations and you've captured them beautifully!
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Post by nycboy on May 13, 2013 14:29:24 GMT
The mineral market photos are lovely. They are selling a huge variety. I see you bought some nice turquoises which are amongst my favourite. I have never seen tourmaline in the rough before. I really enjoyed the sunset pictures; the colours are so special in desert surroundings. Did you sleep in a tent without fear of lions or hyaenas bothering you? Was the camping site fenced? 5,000miles is such a long way. What time of the year did you go? Was it very hot? Did you go near the Orange river? As far as I know there are no lions in that area and while I'm not sure about hyenas my guess would be no. We have seen pictures of leopards in the area but were not blessed to see one. The campsite wasn't fenced but the border of the park has cattle fencing to keep out the grazing animals. We went in January. The sun was very intense but we didn't find it too hot, certainly not as bad as a humid summer day in New York. We spent a good amount of time driving a dirt road along the Orange River through Richtersveld National Park.
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Post by nycboy on May 13, 2013 14:34:28 GMT
A shot of the Orange:
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Post by nycgirl on May 15, 2013 19:12:24 GMT
Early in the morning, we hired a guide to show us a collection of rock paintings dated from 2,000 to 4,000 years ago. To reach a mural called Bushman's Paradise, we headed up this short but steep hike assisted by a rock chain. While up there, we spotted a couple of klipspringers, nimbly climbing the boulders on their tiny hooves. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a good shot of them. We also saw a colorful rock agama. The paintings depicted lots of animals, such as this mother and baby rhino. This is a wildebeast, I think. Sadly, but predictably, these ancient paintings have become vandalized in recent years after centuries of withstanding natural forces. There was another mural that did not require a hike, so my mother-in-law was able to see some fine examples of rock art. The paintings also document human behavior. This painting depicts either a crouching hunting party or a ceremony. This painting is a curious animal-human hybrid. The midsection was intentionally, and mysteriously, left blank. I enjoyed listening to the guide’s explanations, even though I unfortunately didn’t retain much, as you can see. Before driving him back to the park’s entrance, he pointed out to us this elephant-like rock formation. We drove around a bit admiring Spitzkoppe’s wonderful birdlife. We saw the blue-cheeked bee-eater... ... and the pretty little bokmakierie. There is more to see in Spitzkoppe, but we had a long drive up north ahead of us, so we packed up and and showered. The outdoor facilities were clean, with warm water and a nice strong shower head. We ate breakfast at the park’s small restaurant and said good-bye to Spitzkoppe. Not far from the park, we spotted a black-backed jackal.
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Post by bixaorellana on May 16, 2013 0:54:57 GMT
I've gone through the most recent posts at least 4 or 5 times before responding. I feel like just tearing out the thesaurus entries for beautiful, astounding, etc. and just sending them to you! These pictures are beyond brilliant and the subject matter totally fascinating.
The rock paintings must have been one of the major thrills of the trip. The half-human ones look so much like Anubis to me, but that can't be .... can it?
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous landscape, bird, and wildlife shots plus you even got some nice people in all that glorious emptiness.
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Post by mossie on May 16, 2013 7:08:53 GMT
Must agree 100percent.
Why can't the Apple geeks give us a percent key on the iPad???
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Post by spindrift1 on May 16, 2013 11:49:39 GMT
The rock agama is spectacular!
Thanks for the picture of the Orange River...now at last I see it! I have some S.African friends who, 15 years ago, took their families on a trip downstream in canoes. There were about 20 of them. I would have loved to have gone on that trip.
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Post by tod2 on May 16, 2013 12:38:32 GMT
Lucky lucky people! To see the Bokmakierrie and the beautiful Blue cheeked Beeater! I am so envious Spotting a jackal too was an extra bonus. Well done!
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2013 12:46:51 GMT
Oh wow, I had missed a couple days of posts, and this just keeps getting better and better! I love the lizard, too, but he needs to get better organized to place the correctly coloured parts over the correctly coloured rocks!
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on May 16, 2013 14:51:27 GMT
I am just overwhelmed by all these fantastic photos!! the colored Rock agama, the sunset, the rocks, the birds - amazing amazing. You are very adventurous and admire it very much. The faces of these beautiful children are precious and the gems are beautiful. I actually bought a citrine ring once on our honeymoon in Australia.... so pretty!
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Post by lugg on May 16, 2013 18:48:53 GMT
Wow, I am in awe of your outstanding photos. I know I will return to them all again and again.
As I read back I begin to really understand what a hugely varied country Namibia is and how much it has to offer. Looking forward to the next postings. Thank you.
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